Preseason Underclass Preview: Middle Infield Analysis
March 19, 2015
By Phil Wade
Indiana Executive Director
Follow @PBRIndiana
The Inaugural Preseason Underclass Preview took place on Sunday, February 22nd, at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, IN with a total of 86 underclassmen in attendance; 53 2017's, 26 2018's and seven 2019's. Below we take a look at the 28 middle infielders who attended the event.
Top 5
Noah Navarro, SS, Avon HS, 2017: The 5-foot-11, 162 pounder is a true switch hitter, with a mirrored swing from both sides. He hits from a balanced setup with advanced approach. His swing path is level and gets to extension producing line drives. Navarro is a high contact hitter that will hit for high average. Defensively, he possesses athletic defensive actions with soft hands and is a plus defender. His feet are quick and fluid, playing through the baseball with athleticism. At the event he showcased an accurate arm across the field at 80 mph and ran a 6.66-60.
Riley Bertram, SS, Zionsville HS, 2018: A 5-foot-11, 165 pound freshman SS, Bertram showcased quick, soft hands defensively. Fields one-handed. His actions are quick and athletic. Strong, accurate arm across the field at 85 mph. Ran a 7.2-60. Switch hitter at the plate. From the left side starts in a tall-narrow stance and open. Stride is short. Smooth load, level swing path. Good balance. Line drive hitter. From the right side, starts tall and narrow, uses a leg kick. Minimal load, level path. More of a pull-side hitter. Consistently barreled up the baseball. Recorded a high exit velo of 80 mph. High follow in the 2018 class.
Cole Barr, SS, Yorktown HS, 2017: The 5-foot-11, 165 pound SS showcased plus actions with athleticism. His hands are quick and soft and showcased quick, fluid footwork. Possesses a strong, accurate arm across the field at 89 mph. Plus defender. Ran a 7.08-60. At the plate showcased an advanced approach at the plate. The lower half was explosive and generated quick bat speed, consistently getting to extension. Short, level path to the baseball, making hard contact. Athletic, quiet hitter.
Andy Bennett, SS, Fishers HS, 2017: A 6-foot-1, 170 pound left-handed hitting SS, hits from a slightly open, athletic setup. Shows a smooth load with a short stride. Good rhythm and balance throughout the swing. Possesses quick hands to the baseball. Swing path is slightly uphill with some barrel whip. Shows present power to his pull-side. Recorded a high exit velocity of 88 mph. Defensively, showcased above average hands with a quick, clean exchange. Moves well, athletic, plays through the ball. Across the diamond was 81 with carry and accuracy.
Adisyn Coffey, SS, Delta HS, 2017: 6-foot-1, 160 pounds, ran a 7.33-60. In the field showcased good hands with fluid feet. Quick hands, clean exchange and plays through the ball with some athleticism. Short arm action across the diamond at 84 mph with accuracy. Offensively, hits out of a balanced setup. Smooth load back. Tendency to over rotate with his lower half. Possesses some bat speed with a good approach to the ball. Long path, gap to gap power. Recorded a high exit velo of 84 mph.
Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)
Zyon Avery, 2B/MIF, Ben Davis HS, 2018: 5-foot-11, 180 pound freshman showcased average hands in the field with average footwork. Needs to improve his angles to the ball. Short arm action at 78 across the diamond. Switch hitter at the plate, pretty much a mirrored swing from both sides, but showcased a little more pop from the right side. Starts open with a smooth load back. Short stride, tends to dive. Good balance throughout the swing . Shows some bat speed with a level path to the ball. Compact, ability to hit the gaps. Recorded a high exit velo of 84 from the right side and 81 from the left.
Brenden Bube, SS, Lanesville HS, 2017: 5-foot-9, 155 pounds, ran a 7.39-60. Showcased average hands with a clean exchange. Max effort, crow hop on his throws. 85 across the diamond. At the plate starts in an open setup, toe tap. Tendency to dive. Possesses average bat speed with a long, level path to the ball. Recorded a high exit velo of 80 mph.
Caleb Burton, 2B/MIF, Columbus East HS, 2018: 5-foot-7, 150 pound freshman possesses average hands at 2B. Quick, clean exchange. Plays through the ball well. Ran a 7.65-60. Across the diamond was 81 with some carry. Offensively, starts balanced. Smooth load, short stride. Average bat speed with a level path. Stays balanced. Should continue to improve at the plate as he physically matures. Recorded a high exit velo of 75 mph.
Isaiah Davis, SS, Ben Davis HS, 2017: 6-foot, 155 pounds, ran a 7.07-60. In the field possesses soft hands with good feet. Exchange is clean, plays through the ball well. Above average defender with some athleticism. 77 across the field. At the plate hits out of a balanced setup. Short stride. Drops hands during the load. Short, compact swing, uphill path. Recorded a high exit velo of 74 mph.
Wesley Edwards, 2B/MIF, Washington HS, 2018: 5-foot-10, 130 pounds, ran a 7.40-60. Possesses a good feel defensively showing average hands and fluid feet. Good angles to the ball. Across the diamond was 72 mph. Offensively, hits out of a closed setup. Hands drop and bat wraps during the load. Over rotates with the lower half. Good balance. Choppy rhythm. Lacks bat speed currently. Recorded a high exit velo of 66 mph.
Tyler Finke, 2B/MIF, Columbus North HS, 2018: 5-foot-7, 120 pounds, ran a 7.25-60. Showcased above average hands, with a quick, clean exchange in the field. Gets rid of the ball quickly. Loose arm action, just lacks strength currently, will improve as he physically matures. 73 across the INF. Offensively, hits from a balanced setup, loads back. Stride is short. Uses a leg kick, at times dives during the stride. Short, level path to the ball with average bat speed. Line drive hitter, high contact. Recorded a high exit velo of 75 mph.
Nick Geisen, SS, St. Mary’s, 2019: 6-foot, 155 pound 8th grader was solid in the field. Showcased good feet for his age with a quick, strong arm at 81 mph. Possesses sure hands and plays through the ball. Offensively, hits out of a balanced setup. Minimal load, tendency to dive at the ball. Good use of his lower half with good balance. Line drive hitter with good bat speed for his age. Recorded a high exit velo of 79 mph.
Bryce Ginder, SS, FW Carroll HS, 2019: 5-foot-7, 145 pounds. Good actions for his age. Possesses good hands with fluid feet. Clean exchange. Fundementally sound defensively. Just lacks arm strength, but should develop as he matures. Across the field was 75 mph. Offensively the LHH, displayed a quiet approach to the ball with good balance. Fundamentally sound swing. Recorded a high exit velo of 75 mph.
Zach Huffins, SS, West Lafayette HS, 2017: 6-foot-2, 170 pounds, ran a 6.91-60. Defensively showcased average hands with good footwork. Exchange was quick and clean. Plays through the ball well but fields it deep. Shows some athleticism in his actions. Offensively hits out of an open, crouch setup. Wide feet. Short stride. Bat speed is average. Chokes up. Consistent line drives. Shows some rawness in the swing. Recorded a high exit velo of 78 mph.
Alex Jones, SS, Noblesville HS, 2017: 5-foot-10, 130 pounds, ran a 7.57-60. In the field showed average hands with fluid feet. Clean exchange, plays through the ball well. 73 across the diamond. At the plate hits out of an open setup and loads back. Stride is short. Lacks bat speed. Level path to the ball, flat bat through the zone. Will increase strength as he physically matures. Recorded a high exit velo of 65 mph.
Ethan Hunter, SS, Terre Haute South HS, 2017: 5-foot-10, 150 pounds, ran a 7.19-60. Possesses sound defensive actions with quiet feet and soft hands. Good rhythm, quick, clean exchange. Across the field was 78 with accuracy with a quick release. At the plate hits out of an athletic setup. Loads back, bars the front arm. Stride is short. Showcased average bat speed with a good approach to the ball. Level path, line drive hitter. Good rhythm. Recorded a high exit velo of 81 mph.
Evan Kahre, SS, Evansville Central HS, 2017: 6-foot, 150 pounds, ran a 7.32-60. Long, lean frame. Average actions in the field with average hands. Exchange is clean, but slow. 79 across the field from a long arm action. At the plate hits out of a tall setup. Loads back, bars the front arm. Stride is short. Long path to the ball. Consistent hard contact. Recorded a high exit velo of 79 mph.
Eli Lawyer-Smith, SS, Center Grove HS, 2018: 5-foot, 11, 160 pounds, ran a 7.33-60. At SS possesses hard hands with heavy feet. Exchange was long and slow. Over the top slot arm action at 65 mph. At the plate starts from an open setup with a smooth load. Good balance throughout the swing. Average bat speed. Loose swing with some barrel whip, consistent hard contact. Recorded a high exit velo of 77 mph.
Josh Lindeman, 2B/MIF, Taft Middle School, 2019: 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, ran a 7.69-60. Showcased above average actions for his age. Possesses sure hands with quick, fluid feet. Exchange is clean. Plays through the ball well with some athleticism. Across the diamond from a long, high ¾ slot was 77 mph with accuracy. At the plate starts open and wide. Loads back. Dives during the stride. Good balance. Line drive hitter, created good back spin on the ball. The hands work. Recorded a high exit velo of 75 mph.
Blake Malatestinic, 2B/MIF, 2017: 5-foot-9, 150 pounds, ran a 7.25-60. Defensively showcased athletic actions and plays through the baseball. Takes good angles to balls. Quick exchange, sure hands. Offensively, hits from a balanced setup, loads back. Leg kick. Over rotates with the lower half. Possesses average bat speed with a short, level path to the ball. Does possess some quick twitch. Recorded a high exit velo of 74 mph.
Joey Martoccio, 2B/MIF, Griffith HS, 2017: 6-foot-2, 165 pounds, ran a 7.38-60. Defensively showcased average hands with a clean exchange. Feet were average. Across the diamond was 78 with accuracy. At the plate hits from a crouch setup. Loads back, short stride. Over rotates the lower half. Average balance with average bat speed. Short path to the ball, line drive hitter. Choppy rhythm. Recorded a high exit velo of 73 mph.
Drew Mathies, 2B/MIF, Shelbyville HS, 2017: 5-foot-11, 155 pounds, ran a 7.05-60. Defensively possesses above average hands with good feet. Clean exchange and plays through the ball. Good rhythm. 77 across the field from a long, high ¾ arm action. Offensively, this out of a balanced setup. Loads back, hands drop. Minimal stride. Shows some bat speed, in/out swing plane. Line drive hitter. Recorded a high exit velo of 80 mph.
Dalton Peerman, SS, Evansville Central HS, 2017: 6-foot, 175 pounds, ran a 7.87-60. Possesses average hands defensively with a slow exchange. Tendency to play on his heels. Across the field was 66 mph. At the plate hits out of a tall, narrow stance, slightly open. Hip slide, lacks separation. Drifts. Level path to the ball. Recorded a high exit velo of 73 mph.
Jake Petrusky, 2B/MIF, Columbus North HS, 2018: 5-foot-10, 140 pounds showcased average hands in the field. Fluid footwork, fields the ball deep. Takes too many steps to throw. Clean exchange. Arm is quick. Short arm action across the diamond at 79 mph. Ran a 7.14-60. Offensively, starts with a wide base. Short stride, hands drop during the load. Tendency to drift. Long, uphill swing plane. Recorded a high exit velo of 77 mph.
Bryce Randolph, SS, Noblesville HS, 2018: 5-foot-6, 135 pounds, ran a 7.64-60. Raw actions from SS. Average hands, slow exchange. Across the field was 71 mph. Offensively, hits from a closed setup. Hands drop during the load. Dives during the stride. Good balance throughout the swing. Average bat speed, level path to the baseball. Recorded a high exit velo of 74 mph.
Michael Ryan, SS, North Central HS, 2017: 5-foot-8, 165 pounds ran a 7.34-60. Across the diamond was 76 mph. Possesses better actions in the OF. In the INF showcased slow actions with flat feet. Offensively, hits from a balanced setup with average balance throughout the swing. Stride is short. Shows some stiffness. Recorded a high exit velo of 75 mph.
Riley Tirotta, SS, Mishawaka Marian HS, 2017: 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, ran a 6.93-60. Showcased above average hands with quick feet. Needs to play through the ball more. At times fields on his heels. Across the diamond from a short arm action was 79 mph with accuracy. At the plat hits from an open setup. Loads back, short stride. High activity in the swing. Average use of the lower half with good balance. Above average bat speed. Long path to the ball with some barrel whip. Shows some power potential. Recorded a high exit velo of 85 mph.
Conner Tomasic, SS, Lake Central HS, 2018: 6-foot, 160 pounds, ran a 7.22-60. Possesses average hands in the field with fluid feet and a clean exchange. Tendency to field the ball deep. Possesses some athleticism in his actions. At the plate this from a tall, narrow, open stance. Uses a leg kick. Good balance throughout the swing, average use of the lower half. Above average bat speed with a good approach. Gets to extension from a long, level path. Recorded a high exit velo of 83 mph.